Indiana Michigan Power is pleased to announce that the American Electric Power (AEP)

Foundation will make an $800,000 grant over five years to expand the Credits Count program

to Ivy Tech Community College Marion campus. The grant will benefit Marion High School

and McCulloch Junior High School in Marion, Indiana. Ivy Tech is the fifth college to receive

funding from the Foundation for this program.

Credits CountSM, is a signature program of the AEP Foundation, targeting students in urban

and rural areas who may not otherwise be able to afford a college education. The program

encourages students to consider science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)

beginning in junior high school and supports dual enrollment opportunities at the high school

level. The hands-on, year-round program is centered on four major components which

include:

-STEM Experiences – expanding awareness of STEM careers through middle and

high school exploration experiences;

-College Course Readiness Assessments – identifying gaps in writing, reading,

science and math that may require tutoring;

-Summer Bridge Program – providing remediation in English, science and math and

improving skills prior to students enrolling in dual enrollment programs;

-Dual Enrollment in High Schools and at Ivy Tech – allowing students to graduate

high school with at least 12 college credits toward an associate degree or job ready

certificate.

“We are so honored and thrilled to be the recipient of the AEP Foundation grant,” says Alex

Huskey, Marion campus president, Ivy Tech Community College. “The real recipients though,

and benefactors of this partnership, is our community and the students. They now have a

wonderful opportunity to learn and grow, through education and development that focuses on

their success.”

Ivy Tech’s Marion campus will work with Marion Community Schools to introduce middle

school students to STEM experiences and engage high school learners for college credit

coursework prior to graduation. Credits CountSM focuses on introducing students to careers

they otherwise may never have considered as career options and to provide a pathway to

attain college credits while completing high school.

“The AEP Foundation is excited to partner with Ivy Tech and Marion Community Schools to

introduce junior high and high school students to the possibilities of a STEM-related career,”

said Paul Chodak, Indiana Michigan Power president and chief operating officer. “Through

the AEP Foundation’s Credits CountSM program, we are changing lives for our young people

so they can be a part of a well-educated workforce of the future.”

The program will reach nearly 2,250 students to assess college readiness. Of those students,

nearly 375 will participate in the Summer Bridge program to improve math, science and

English skills; about 550 middle school students will participate in STEM exploration

experiences and at least 700 students are expected to earn college credit while completing

high school.

“I am so thankful to Indiana Michigan Power, the American Electric Power Foundation and Ivy

Tech Community College for providing this GIANT professional training opportunity through

the Credits Counts Program,” Marion Community Schools Superintendent Brad Lindsay said.

“The vision for this grant will help Ivy Tech, Marion Community Schools and the greater

community of Marion, Indiana, to raise the standard of excellence and performance in

science, technology, engineering and math career preparation.”